PARENTS are being banned from taking photographs of their own children at school Christmas plays because of fears over paedophiles.

PARENTS are being banned from taking photographs of their own children at school Christmas plays because of fears over paedophiles.

At least two schools in Rochdale have banned parents from taking photos and video recordings of their children performing in Nativity plays and school concerts following the publication of new guidelines from Rochdale Council.

Newhey Community Primary School and St Michael's CE Primary in Bamford have introduced the ban, and it's thought other schools may follow suit.

The ban has provoked an angry backlash from some parents who were hoping to record precious memories of their children taking part in their first Nativity play or school concert and a senior councillor has called for schools to show common sense.

Parent Stephen Nolan said he had been looking forward to filming his three-year-old son taking part in the reception class concert at Newhey Community Primary School and accused headteacher Don Case of 'political correctness gone mad'.

He said: "It is my son's first Christmas concert and I had been looking forward to it. It is a memorable occasion, I would have liked to have recorded it. Mr Case has banned filming because of future guidelines. I think it is political correctness gone mad.

"If he had wanted to protect children from paedophiles someone could have been put on the door to make sure only parents were coming in with cameras."

But Mr Case said: "We are not allowing parents to film their children because of child protection issues.

"I understand one of the parents has objected, but I am looking at it from the school's point of view.

"I have acted under guidance from the local education authority. I have been on a training course and this is what they are recommending."

Andrew Gibson, vice chairman of the board of governors, said: "It is something we as a governing body discussed with Mr Case when the LEA first made it known there was the possibility of a policy on the way. As a board of governors we have decided to follow what the LEA is giving as guidance.

"I am a parent governor and I can empathise with where parents are coming from. Part of the problem is that some feel that we have acted without being in touch with any other body. But we are following what the LEA has suggested which is good practice."

At St Michael's CE Primary, Bamford, parents have been told they will not be allowed to take still photographs or video of their children at the school's Christmas celebration next Monday.

Gillian Rhodes, headteacher at St Michael's, said the policy was introduced before she became head in September.

"I do not know what the reaction was at the time, but this week we have not had any reaction from parents as such," she said. "We send a letter out to parents at the beginning of the year asking them to give their permission for photos to be taken. Parents can say yes or no. Some parents have given their permission, some have not, but we cannot separate out those children when there is a whole Key Stage group or school production."

Councillor Colin Lambert, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said: "I would ask headteachers to consult with parents and apply rules of common sense because parents want to record happy memories in their children's lives."

A spokesman for Rochdale education department said: "The question whether films or photographs are allowed on school premises is the responsibility of the head and governors based on guidelines."